Your mechanic will tell you to buy a matching set of plugs for your vehicle without informing you about the sizes, gaps, and material used to manufacture the spark.
So, are spark plugs universal? All plugs are not universal as they come in different sizes, have different gaps, and are made of different materials.
Thus, a specific car will need a specific set of sparks, and you should be careful when choosing the spark for your car. This article might help you find the spark which best suits your car.
Contents
Are Spark Plugs a Universal Fit?
The spark plugs are not a universal fit, but they can be classified into either the standard or performance spark. Thus, you may ask your mechanic if your car needs either the standard or performance spark.
However, the manufacturers ensure they build sparks that offer optimal car combustion. The difference between the standard and performance sparks boils down to the metal tab, which electrodes the arcs during combustion.
There are many variations, and you would find the market’s single, dual, and quad tab performance sparks. Since the performance sparks are durable metal, they last longer than the standard sparks.
The standard spark plugs
The standard spark plugs are common and are made of solid copper and a central electrode of a nickel alloy. It has the highest diameter among other sparks and needs more voltage to generate current.
This plug has high conductivity and can stand high heat, but the nickel component might not be durable. You will need to replace it after 40000 km or 25000 as they wear out faster.
Although the standard plugs are cheap and don’t last long, they work as intended and might be the best option for your car.
The platinum spark plugs
The platinum spark plugs are copper with the platinum disc at the ends instead of nickel alloy; thus, they are more durable, generate more heat, and prevent deposit buildup and fouling.
The spark plug is high-performance and will ensure the car does not face misfires and fouling. You might find the single or double platinum in the market, and they work best for the distributor-based ignition systems
Iridium spark plugs
The Iridium spark plugs offer high performance; they are very expensive, harder, and durable and last longer than the standard spark plugs.
However, they have a smaller center electrode with fine wire centers that generate current faster. Thus, it will provide current and power faster for complete and effective combustion, increasing engine performance; you may need to replace this spark plug after 150000 km or 93000.
How Do I Know Which Spark Plugs I Need?
Buying a spark plug might seem like a gamble, but you will consult the car manual and ensure you get the plug written on the car manual.
Alternatively, you may ask your mechanic as they have worked on many vehicles and will know the spark plug which will work for your car.
Sometimes car owners might think some plugs are better than others; although iridium plugs are the most expensive and last long does not mean they will be suitable for your car.
Thus, seeking information about the spark plug ideal for the car will help keep the car in good condition.
Can You Interchange Spark Plugs?
Almost all manufacturers cross-reference the spark plugs with other brands in the market; thus, you will find other spark plugs which suit your vehicle.
It is easy for motorists to stick with a certain spark plug manufacturer, but the engine will not know the difference. You can exchange one brand with another, and for most applications, there will be different brands that are interchangeable.
However, it might not be easy to exchange certain spark plugs due to specialized applications. Your mechanic will inform you if you can exchange the spark plug brand; you may find one or two spark plug brands that list a spark plug for the specialized application.
Before buying the new brand, you should read the specifications and instructions and ask your mechanic if the new replacement spark will work for your car.
What Happens If I Put The Wrong Spark Plugs In The Car?
You should get the correct spark plug for your car; if a brand lists its spark plug as unsuitable for a specific application, you will avoid buying it.
An incorrect plug might not have the correct electrode configuration making it challenging to reach the heat range required for the car’s engine.
Some plugs might look similar but are different internally and would not reform properly when installed into your car. For instance, too hot spark plugs will increase a car’s risk of pre-ignition issues, and a too cold plug will lead to fouling issues.
Can I Use Mismatched Spark Plugs?
It is unsafe to use mismatched spark plugs as they can cause excessive heat, damaging the combustion system. High heat increases fuel consumption leading to quenching and engine failure.
Sometimes if the spark plug has low heat, it will damage the engine causing fouling. Therefore, you should follow the car’s manual and mechanic advice to ensure a smooth and consistent operation when replacing the spark plugs.
The cost of the spark plugs is low, and you should ensure you get the right one every time you need to change it. Thus, the plugs should match the engine and have almost the same level of electrical resistance as all the other plugs.
You will extend the engine’s life and the whole combustion system with the correct spark plug.
Can Different Spark Plugs Cause A Misfire?
An incorrect spark plug can cause engine misfiring; a spark plug that fires at the wrong time may cause rattling, pinging, and knocking sounds.
On severe occasions, it will cause misfires and erratic performance. Thus you should ensure you get the correct spark plug that is well-suited for the car.
Conclusion
Finding a suitable spark plug is challenging as many brands look the same from the outside but different from the inside. So are spark plugs universal?
The spark plugs are not universal as they are made of different metals, have different diameters, and produce different amounts of heat.
It is better to read the car manual and consult the mechanic when looking for a spark plug for your car. Good luck finding the spark plug which meets.
